WYOMING ELK NUMBERS UP – Stories like this one drive home the narrative that hunting as conservation works. How any group or individual can claim that hunting and hunters don’t benefit the landscape is beyond me. As hunters, we love our game species, but we also know these animals must be managed. Management takes on many forms, from habitat to open seasons with liberal bag limits. On the back side of open seasons is closed or limited seasons, and few tags; think bighorn sheep tags. We listen to what biologists say, and if they say we can take 100 deer, we try to take all 100. If the science says we can only take 5, we all want one of those 5 tags. It is an awesome day for hunters when you wake up and read about an over abundance of an animal you love to hunt.
Elk hunters rejoice!!!!! The Cowboy State has a booming population of elk. State game and fish biologists are reporting there are roughly 30,000 more elk than the objective of 79,125 individuals; a 29% surplus. The elk are thriving in agricultural areas with high calf-cow ratios. According to a Wyoming Game and Fish summary, the elk herds are almost all above objectives with only 11 percent of the herds not making the cut.
As an elk hunter, you know the hunt is going to have challenges. The weather, terrain, other hunters all play a factor in you tagging out. If you are one of the 62,155 tag holders in Wyoming, you have to appreciate a 41.8% chance of taking home some meat.
Here at EHUNTR we want to wish all hunters good luck this season. Whether rifle or bow, feathers or hides, shoot straight and enjoy your time in the field. Don’t forget to share your success and recipes on the EHUNTR social media pages! We look forward to seeing what you guys can do!
